Crabwalk

Silverman enters school board race

Attacking Governor Voinovich’s plans for funding education yesterday, former Toledo city councilman and mayoral candidate Peter Silverman formally announced his candidacy for a seat on the Toledo board of education.

Standing on the steps outside One Government Center, Mr. Silverman, a Democrat, said his campaign will make five guarantees:

* Constantly improving test scores in core subjects.

* Push for all-day kindergarten statewide.

* A cap of 15 students per class through third grade.

* Tougher discipline.

* Money to train teachers.

“I’ve been involved in government a long time. I know how to make things happen,” he said.

The candidate, who told The Blade in May of his intention to run, focused his remarks on the statewide restructuring of education funding ordered by the Ohio Supreme Court. Members of the Toledo school board have no direct role in determining such policy.

Governor Voinovich has proposed a $1.1 billion tax increase to fund education, a proposal that Mr. Silverman called unfair.